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Test 3

Passage 1

British Train Lines

The British, who once controlled vast territories across Europe, Africa, and Asia, adapted railway technologies and engineering methods to build extensive train lines in their colonies.

The early pioneers of railway engineering in Britain drew inspiration from industrial innovations during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. One of the first significant advances came from coal mines in northern England, where early rail lines were laid to transport coal from mines to nearby canals. By the early 1800s, the development of steam-powered locomotives revolutionized transport. Engineers laid down straight tracks over long distances, supported by embankments and tunnels through hills, ensuring consistent gradients. In hilly or uneven terrain, workers excavated soil or blasted rock to create a level route. Remarkably, some of these original train routes laid nearly 200 years ago remain in use today.

This knowledge was passed on to British colonial engineers, who used it to construct railways in India, Africa, and other territories. British railway construction overseas often involved building long viaducts, bridges, and deep cuttings through rugged landscapes. In colonial India, for instance, the construction of the Grand Indian Peninsula Railway in the 1850s included tunnels that were carved through the Western Ghats mountain range. Thousands of local laborers, known as ‘navvies’, worked in extreme conditions. One of the most notable achievements, the 541-mile Bombay to Calcutta line, took decades to complete and employed tens of thousands of workers.

By the late 19th century, British engineers developed new methods of rail construction to overcome even greater challenges. In areas where geography made straight-line construction difficult, such as mountainous regions or densely forested terrain, engineers relied on the cut-and-cover method, or carved spirals into hillsides to maintain manageable gradients. These methods required advanced planning and understanding of geology, mathematics, and surveying. Both ends of the tunnel had to meet perfectly in the center of a mountain or hillside. Adjustments to direction were made frequently when encountering geological challenges. Engineers often relied on visual cues like light beams entering one end of the tunnel to guide construction, and deviations were corrected by creating connecting lateral tunnels.

Railways were not only built for transportation of people and goods but also for extracting natural resources. In parts of Africa and Australia, rail lines were constructed primarily to carry minerals like gold and coal from remote regions to ports. These resource-extraction routes often followed the most direct line to the source, requiring less overall planning. Remnants of these lines still exist and are sometimes used in modern mining operations.

The time and cost of building these imperial railways varied greatly. Simpler routes on flat terrain could be completed relatively quickly, whereas rail lines that passed through mountains or hard rock regions took far longer. Engineers sometimes employed controlled explosives and steam drills to break through hard rock. One report from South Africa noted that rail workers advanced at a rate of just 40 centimeters per day when boring through granite. In contrast, flatland construction could progress at several meters per day. Inscribed plaques on bridges and stations recorded the names of engineers and colonial patrons who funded the projects. For example, the 1.2-kilometer-long Victoria Tunnel in Kenya, part of the Uganda Railway completed in 1901, still displays the name of the chief engineer and date of completion carved into its stone entrance.

Questions 1–6: Complete the sentences below. Use NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

In Britain, early railways were originally constructed to transport ______ from mines.
Local workers known as ______ were employed to build tracks under extreme conditions in India.
Engineers used the ______ method to build railways in difficult mountainous terrain.
When tunnel segments did not align properly, engineers created ______ to join them.
______ were used to break through hard rock during some construction efforts.
The names of project leaders were often recorded on ______ located at the site.

Questions 7–10: Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage?

Write: TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

7. British engineers never used foreign construction methods in railway building.

8. Train lines in some colonies were primarily created to help extract natural resources.

9. British railways in Africa and India were usually constructed only on flat terrain.

10. Some colonial railways are still in use today.

Questions 11–13: Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

11. What was one major engineering challenge during colonial rail construction?
A) Finding enough workers
B) Convincing locals to use trains
C) Ensuring tunnel ends met precisely
D) Building stations in cities

12. What made flat terrain railway projects faster to complete?
A) They required fewer workers
B) They didn’t require tunnels or bridges
C) They avoided geographical obstacles
D) They used pre-built track systems

13. What was the main purpose of plaques found near some rail tunnels?
A) To indicate the direction of the tunnel
B) To warn of structural danger
C) To commemorate people involved in the project
D) To show train timetables

Click below to see the answers for this test 1.coal ➤ Coal was the main commodity transported on early rail lines, especially in northern England 2.navvies ➤ The passage says thousands of navvies worked in extreme conditions during colonial railway construction. 3.cut-and-cover ➤ The cut-and-cover method is named as a technique used in challenging geographical locations. 4.lateral tunnels ➤ These were built to correct errors when tunnel ends failed to meet correctly. 5.explosives ➤ The passage refers to “controlled explosives” used to break through hard rock. 6.inscribed plaques ➤ Engineers’ names were often carved onto plaques at tunnel or bridge sites. 7.FALSE ➤ The passage says British engineers passed on techniques and improved them in colonies. 8.TRUE ➤ The text mentions that in Africa and Australia, rail lines were used to extract resources like coal and gold. 9.FALSE ➤ Railways were built through mountains, using spirals and tunnels—so not just flat terrain. 10.TRUE ➤ The passage notes that some rail lines from colonial times remain in use. 11.Answer: C ➤ The passage explains that the “counter-excavation” method required the tunnel ends to align perfectly—this was a major challenge. 12.Answer: C ➤ Flat terrain lacked hills or rock, meaning easier, faster progress without the need for advanced engineering solutions. 13.Answer: C ➤ Plaques were used to display the names of engineers and patrons who funded or oversaw construction.

Passage 2

Attitudes to Cuisine

It is not easy to be systematic and objective when discussing food preferences. Conversations about cuisine frequently turn emotional, sometimes even argumentative. Food is a deeply personal and cultural experience, so most people feel entitled to strong opinions about it. And when opinions clash—whether about ingredients, preparation methods, or authenticity—tempers can flare. Heated arguments can erupt as quickly over how a dish should be seasoned as over broader issues like dietary ethics or culinary traditions.

Food is also a very public part of our lives, making it easy for people to notice and critique what others eat. No aspect of culture is immune: culinary choices often influence how we judge others in terms of class, sophistication, health consciousness, environmental awareness, and even morality. This can make food-related criticism feel personal, and it’s easy to offend or feel offended when one’s culinary tastes are questioned or ridiculed.

In its broadest sense, culinary traditionalism is the belief that one cuisine—or one way of preparing certain dishes—is inherently superior to others, and that this standard should be upheld across society. This perspective often focuses on classical or 'authentic' recipes and methods, sometimes with little room for innovation or adaptation. Dishes that adhere strictly to tradition are seen as “correct” or “proper,” while those that deviate may be labelled as inferior, fake, or even disrespectful.

Many major cuisines have been subject to this traditionalist scrutiny, especially as national cookbooks and culinary schools emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. The goals of these early food authorities were threefold: (a) to codify culinary principles and prove there was a coherent system behind beloved dishes, (b) to resolve disputes over “authentic” preparation and presentation, and (c) to warn against what they saw as common errors or shortcuts that threatened the integrity of a dish. This rigid approach often relied on culinary “rules.” Certain ingredients or steps were required and others forbidden. At the time, there were few compromises—food was either made the “right” way or the “wrong” way.

Such attitudes still persist today, fueling debates about the preservation of food traditions. However, an alternative perspective has gained ground—one that prioritizes observation over judgment. This approach emphasizes describing and celebrating the diversity of how food is experienced and prepared, rather than trying to freeze it in time or rank it in quality. As early as the 18th century, some cooks and writers began to defend innovation and regional variation, suggesting that taste is shaped by experience, environment, and evolving culture. From this view, there is no single “correct” way to prepare a dish—only what is meaningful and enjoyable to the people making and eating it.

In recent times, the divide between culinary traditionalists and modernists has become more pronounced, with both camps sometimes exaggerating the flaws of the other. Food innovators are painted as disrespectful to history, accused of diluting culture through fusion or convenience. Traditionalists, in turn, are portrayed as rigid and dismissive of creativity. This opposition can even take on political overtones—of cultural progressivism versus conservative heritage.

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

14. According to the passage, discussions about food are often:
A. polite and reserved
B. emotional and personal
C. academic and structured
D. based on nutritional science

15. People may feel offended when others:
A. suggest healthier alternatives
B. refuse to eat certain cuisines
C. question their food choices
D. post pictures of meals online

16. Culinary traditionalism holds that:
A. regional recipes should be constantly modernized
B. home cooks should always experiment
C. one style of cooking is better than others
D. food preparation has no correct method

17. The early food authorities wanted to do all of the following EXCEPT:
A. formalize food principles
B. reduce ingredient prices
C. settle preparation disputes
D. prevent culinary shortcuts

18. Some modern food thinkers believe that:
A. preserving tradition is more important than creativity
B. food culture should be ranked by quality
C. there is no single correct way to cook a dish
D. all recipes must follow scientific rules

Questions 19– 22

Do the following statements agree with the information in the reading passage?

Write:
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the passage
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the passage
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this

19. Culinary debates rarely involve strong emotions.

20. Food preferences may reflect a person’s social status.

21. The passage claims that traditional French cuisine is superior to other styles.

22. The debate between traditionalists and modernists has political undertones.

Questions 23–26

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

23. According to the passage, food is both a personal and a _______ experience.

24. Early food authorities used culinary ‘rules’ to define what was _______ or forbidden.

25. Some writers defended the idea that food tastes are shaped by _______.

26. Food innovators are sometimes accused of showing _______ for tradition.

Click below to see the answers for this test 14. Answer: B Explanation: Paragraph 1 states that conversations about cuisine can turn emotional and even argumentative because food is personal and cultural. 15. Answer: C Explanation: Paragraph 2 explains that criticism of what people eat can feel personal and judgmental. 16. Answer: C Explanation: Paragraph 3 defines culinary traditionalism as the belief that one approach is superior and should be upheld. 17. Answer: B Explanation: Paragraph 4 mentions three goals (a–c) of early culinary authorities; ingredient pricing is not one of them. 18. Answer: C Explanation: Paragraph 5 discusses the modern alternative to traditionalism, which embraces variation and rejects a single correct method. 19. Answer: FALSE Explanation: Paragraph 1 clearly says such discussions frequently turn emotional. 20. Answer: TRUE Explanation: Paragraph 2 links culinary judgment with class and other social factors. 21. Answer: NOT GIVEN Explanation: While the passage discusses traditionalism, it doesn't mention French cuisine specifically. 22. Answer: TRUE Explanation: Paragraph 6 states that the opposition can take on political meanings. 23. Answer: cultural Explanation: Found in Paragraph 1. 24. Answer: required Explanation: Found in Paragraph 4: “Certain ingredients or steps were required and others forbidden.” 25. Answer: evolving culture Explanation: Paragraph 5 lists "experience, environment, and evolving culture." 26. Answer: disrespect Explanation: Paragraph 6 describes how traditionalists view innovators.

Passage 3

Architectural Algorithms

Can computers really design buildings creatively?

One of the most fascinating developments in recent years is the emergence of artificial intelligence systems that can design buildings—structures once believed to require a uniquely human imagination. A program called The Designing Mind is one of a growing number of AI tools being used to generate building blueprints, propose architectural concepts, and even adapt designs in real time. Some of these AI-generated projects have impressed architectural juries and investors alike, and a few have even been built and praised for their innovation. AI has also been used to develop structural forms and interior layouts that many architects admit would not have occurred to them.

Humans have long taken pride in architecture as one of the most creative and intellectual disciplines. So where does that leave us if AI can now perform similar tasks? “It cuts straight to the heart of what we consider human ingenuity,” says Dr. Leah Morrison, an AI and design researcher at the University of Melbourne. “It unsettles people to think that a machine might share our creative territory. For many, it feels like a loss of something deeply human.”

Most people have encountered digital design tools in one form or another, but AI is pushing beyond traditional computer-aided design. One of the earliest AI design programs, Architectron, could generate room layouts and simple buildings with basic functionality. Its designs were once displayed at exhibitions in New York and Berlin. But ultimately, Architectron operated more like a tool to execute the programmer’s instructions rather than generate original creative ideas.

Derek Yuen, the creator of The Designing Mind, is eager to show that AI can contribute more meaningfully to design. His program doesn’t just follow commands—it draws on environmental data, scans architectural journals, and even mines online forums to detect emerging trends and spatial preferences. It has produced buildings with flowing curves and organic symmetry without any human intervention. Yuen believes that people judge AI work unfairly. “When a human designs something unusual, we call it visionary. But when AI does it, we say it’s a bug or randomness,” he says. For example, one of The Designing Mind’s buildings features an asymmetrical roof that was actually the result of the system adjusting to simulated wind patterns. A glitch in another project produced a twisted staircase that some critics called ‘sculptural’. “We praise humans for experimentation,” Yuen adds, “so why not machines?”

Some critics argue that comparing machine creativity to human experience is flawed. “People have been developing architectural language for millennia,” says Professor Ian Saito of the Tokyo Institute of Structural Design. “It’s unfair to expect an algorithm to match that overnight.” Still, the potential excites others. One AI system named BlueprintX, developed by engineer Marcus Vega, could mimic the styles of famous architects like Le Corbusier and Zaha Hadid. In fact, it generated structures so convincingly that some architecture students mistook them for the work of living professionals. But not everyone was impressed. Dr. Morrison, for instance, has criticized Vega’s work as misleading, arguing that BlueprintX simply reconfigures pre-existing ideas. “It’s remixing, not inventing,” she said.

A telling moment came during a study led by Dr. Amanda Tran at the University of Alberta. She asked both professional architects and laypeople to evaluate six anonymous building designs—half by AI, half by humans. Interestingly, participants consistently rated designs lower when they believed they were produced by AI, even if they had liked them at first. This bias persisted even among professionals, suggesting that people struggle to accept machine creativity regardless of outcome.

Why do we value human design so much more? Psychologist Dr. Paul Estevez of the University of Lisbon thinks it’s about process. “Part of our emotional connection to buildings comes from knowing they were imagined and drawn by a person,” he explains. “There’s something deeply satisfying about the effort and intention behind a human-made structure.” Supporting this, experiments by Nina Bergman at the University of Oslo show that people perceive buildings as more meaningful if they think more time and thought went into them.

Yuen agrees. “When people look at a building, they wonder about the architect’s vision, the challenges they overcame, the narrative behind the space. If they think a machine made it instantly, they stop looking for meaning.” That’s why The Designing Mind is programmed not just to process data, but to select themes that resonate with cultural values—like sustainability or community. “AI needs to speak to our stories,” Yuen says. “That’s when it becomes not just a tool, but a co-creator.”

Questions 27–5: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

27. Some buildings designed by The Designing Mind have already been constructed.

28. Architectron was designed to interpret and develop original concepts on its own.

29. Derek Yuen believes people judge AI design more harshly than human design.

30. BlueprintX was banned in academic settings due to plagiarism concerns.

31. Participants in Amanda Tran’s study were aware which designs were AI-generated.

Questions 32–36: Complete the summary below using words from the passage.

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD from the passage for each answer.

Summary:

The Designing Mind is an AI that has shown significant potential in architectural design. Unlike earlier programs, it can work with online 32. __________ and searches 33. __________ to develop original ideas. Derek Yuen defends AI’s creative process, noting that people are often more critical of machines. One of the system’s designs, a slanted roof, was based on 34. __________ data. In another case, a software glitch created a staircase that critics described as 35. __________. Yuen argues that while human designers are praised for experimentation, machines are often blamed for 36. __________.

Questions 37–40: Which person made the following statements?

Choose the correct person from the list below and write the correct letter A–E.

List of people:

A. Dr. Leah Morrison
B. Derek Yuen
C. Professor Ian Saito
D. Dr. Amanda Tran
E. Dr. Paul Estevez

37. People feel unsettled by the idea that AI can be creative.

38. People rate architectural work less favorably when they know it was created by AI.

39. The effort behind a design can make it more appealing.

40. AI buildings are judged by different standards than human ones.

Click below to see the answers for this test 27. TRUE “A few have even been built and praised for their innovation.” 28. FALSE “Architectron operated more like a tool to execute the programmer’s instructions rather than generate original creative ideas.” 29. TRUE “Yuen believes that people judge AI work unfairly…” 30. NOT GIVEN There is no mention of any ban or academic consequences. 31. FALSE “Participants weren’t told beforehand whether the designs were composed by humans or computers…” 32. forums “...mines online forums to detect emerging trends…” 33. journals “...scans architectural journals…” 34. wind “...adjusting to simulated wind patterns.” 35. sculptural “...some critics called ‘sculptural’.” 36. bugs “...we praise humans for experimentation… so why not machines?” 37. A – Dr. Leah Morrison “It unsettles people to think that a machine might share our creative territory.” 38. D – Dr. Amanda Tran “Participants consistently rated designs lower when they believed they were produced by AI…” 39. E – Dr. Paul Estevez “People’s enjoyment of an artwork increases if they think more time and effort was needed…” 40. B – Derek Yuen “Yuen believes that people judge AI work unfairly…”